HB1867

Report Title:

Appropriation; Uninsured Health Care; Community Health Centers

 

Description:

Appropriates $1.5 million for 2-to-1 federal match to expand eligibility for the children's health insurance program to 300% of poverty level. Appropriates $500,000 for a 9-to-1 federal match to continue lost TANF health benefits under QUEST. Appropriates $1.2 million to community health centers.

 

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	1867
TWENTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2002
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

making an appropriation for health care for the uninsured.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks have inflicted damaging effects on Hawaii's economy and an unprecedented number of residents have been affected. A great number are finding it very difficult to make ends meet because of the sudden loss of their jobs and consequently face the prospect of not having health insurance to cover their families' health needs.

The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to make health coverage available to those suffering from the consequences of the recent tragic events in terms of a lack of health care coverage.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $1,500,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2002-2003, on a matching basis of two federal dollars to one state dollar for the State's children's health insurance program to expand eligibility to three hundred per cent of the poverty level guideline for Hawaii.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of human services for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $500,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2002-2003, on a matching basis of nine federal dollars to one state dollar for the delinking of medicaid and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families so that the health benefits that a recipient loses under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program due to the expiration of the cumulative five-year lifetime cap on receipt of benefits can be continued under eligibility for the State's QUEST program.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of human services for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $1,200,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2002-2003, for community health centers in the State who provide health care services to the uninsured.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of human services for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect July 1, 2002.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________